Cobham secures DE&S anti-jam satellite signal contract

(30 March 2020 - Cobham) Cobham Aerospace Connectivity announces that it has been awarded a contract by the UK MOD’s Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) to research Advanced Anti-Jam techniques for the protection of navigation signals received from the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS).

The contract will see Cobham conduct research to develop means to provide assured and resilient Position Navigation and Timing (PNT) information derived from the GNSS multi-constellation. Cobham was best placed to address the UK MOD’s needs through its extensive background in advanced antenna technology and sophisticated signal processing capabilities.

The research is set against a backdrop of increasing reliance on GNSS navigation signals in the nation’s critical infrastructure and national security and the frequent interruptions of the signals either accidentally or intentionally. The more sophisticated interruptions involve the falsification of the navigation signal information for nefarious reasons such as piracy, civil disruption and military advantage.

The DE&S-backed research feeds into the company’s goal of taking already developed Anti Jam capability and developing a miniaturized system capable of providing advanced means of protection of the navigation signals received from the GNSS multi-constellation network. The anti-jam system will combine the use of advanced Controlled Radiation Pattern Array (CRPA) antenna technology with intelligent digital signal processing techniques not only to ensure reliable and assured navigation information, but also to derive important signal intelligence and domain awareness information regarding the source and nature of the interference and the best means of mitigation.

Neil Tomlinson, Vice President Sales and Business Development at Cobham Aerospace Connectivity commented: “This contract award recognises Cobham’s status as a major UK provider of anti-jam systems as well as our long history and deep experience in the areas of navigation antennas and satellite connectivity. We look forward to working with DE&S in this initial phase and subsequent work on this exciting project.”